Fresh Picks
Page: 3
Like clockwork, as soon as the West Indian Day Parade rounded its final Brooklyn block, the temperature dropped to unambiguously autumn levels. The teasing is done. Brat summer is over, and fall is here.
After dominating both the spring and the summer with Kendrick Lamar‘s string of Drake disses, TDE’s current roster is gracefully ushering us into the fall. Led by Doechii‘s dazzling Alligator Bites Never Heal mixtape, TDE undoubtedly dominated the long weekend’s cultural conversation amid marquee releases from Big Sean, Muni Long and Destroy Lonely.
The biggest story of the past week has been the heated Billboard 200 chart battle between Sabrina Carpenter‘s star-cementing Short n’ Sweet LP and the ten-year anniversary wide release of Travis Scott‘s debut mixtape, Days Before Rodeo. Coming down to just a few hundred units, Carpenter ultimately trumped Scott, but not before the rapper put up the second-biggest pure sales week of the year across all genres (331,000 copies sold). The Houston-born rapper also debuted atop Top Album Sales and earned 2024’s biggest opening week for any rap album (361,000 units shifted).
Trending on Billboard
Few stories were able to break through that nail-biting chart showdown, but the ones that did were equally arresting. Buju Banton, Masicka, and Spice were some of the bigger winners at the 2024 Caribbean Music Awards last week (Aug. 29). Ice Spice found herself embroiled in an imploding friendship and working relationship with fellow Bronx rapper and Y2K! Tour opener Cleotrapa, and Playboi Carti graced Billboard’s latest cover.
With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Tyrese and Tamar Braxton’s heart-melting new reimagining of an R&B classic to Erica Banks and Skilla Baby’s sultry new collaboration. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
Freshest Find: Doechii, “Denial Is a River”
[embedded content]
Real ones have been locked in with Doechii for a minute now, and after she got a taste of top 40 success with 2023’s Hot 100 hit “What It Is” (No. 29), now the whole world has no choice but to get on the train. Alligator Bites Never Heal, her first mixtape under Capitol/TDE, won the weekend, arriving as one of the year’s best hip-hop projects — with its sleek blend of boom-bap and house-inflected melodic rap. Boom-bap reigns supreme on “Denial Is a River,” the tape’s buzziest cut, in which Doechii recounts a head-spinning tale of betrayal. In short, she found out she was being cheated on… while she was in the middle of a therapy session. “Took a scroll through his IG, just to get a DM from his wifey/ I was so confused, what should Doechii do?/ She didn’t know about me and I didn’t know ’bout Sue,” she spits over a crisp, Iain James & Joey Hamhock-helmed beat. The track is a masterclass in both hip-hop storytelling and the infinite powers of shifting intonation to denote different characters and timelines. It’s one of the best rap performances of the year, plain and simple.
Tyrese & Tamar Braxton, “Neither One of Us”
[embedded content]
For those who have been paying attention, Tyrese has been dropping small teases of that good ol’ soulful R&B with each pre-release single from his new Beautiful Pain album. Now that the full set is finally available on DSPs as of last Friday (Aug. 30), the standout cut is undoubtedly his and Tamar Braxton’s moving rendition of Gladys Knights & The Pips’ 1972 classic, “Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye.” Tyrese buttery timbre marries with Tamar’s piercing soprano to deliver a luscious blend of goosebump-inducing harmonies that beautifully color their dynamic interpretation of the track. The best thing about “Neither One of Us” is that neither artist’s vocal performance sounds labored; their takes have an ease and earnestness that add some earthy elements to complement their sometimes superhuman riffs and belts.
Syleena Johnson feat. Twista & Shawnna, “Burning in My Soul (Just a Freak)”
[embedded content]
Just a few days after Billboard and Tres Generaciones counted down their top Chicago “get up anthems,” R&B diva Syleena Johnson has a late entry of her own. Recruiting fellow Chicago music stars Twista and Shawnna, Johnson delivers a crash course in Chicago music history. For the first half of the track, Johnson’s voice sits at the intersection of soul and rock n’ roll, with voice ripping through the line “I’m on fire baby,” just as raucous guitars crash into the arrangement. Twista gifts her a characteristically rapid-fire voice before Shawnna comes in on the song’s back half — parenthetically titled “Just a Freak” — with a Beenie Man-referencing verse that blends hip-hop and soul with a small dash of reggae. In one of the lighter moments on her moving Legacy album, Johnson still finds time to speak to R&B’s preoccupation with love and pain while giving her late father a well-deserved send-off.
Erica Banks & Skilla Baby, “One Wish”
[embedded content]
Erica Banks returned with her Cocky on Purpose 2 EP, and as always, the Dallas-bred rapper is unapologetically expressing herself with brash rhymes. However, she takes a more gentle approach for the pensive “One Wish,” which finds Banks opening up about a temporary fling, but she’s here for a good time not a long time. “Could I f–k you out here on the spot/ Could I smoke while you giving me top/ He gon’ think I’m in love but I’m not,” she softly raps. The ball bounces to Skilla Baby, who helms the guy’s perspective. He’s had an affinity for making romantic records the ladies enjoy, and adds another to his resume here. “I’m not playing when it come to you/ I just want to see you comfortable/ Spit in your mouth when I’m f–king you,” he flows in his raunchy assist.
YTB Fatt, “Free Bank”
[embedded content]
YTB Fatt kicks off his On Zai deluxe EP with a jail phone call recording featuring his friend Bankroll Freddie, who is popping his s–t from behind bars. Fatt reflects on signing to Moneybagg Yo and the vultures surrounding him like a cousin who wants him dead. Trust means a lot to the Arkansas-bred rapper. He brushes off the women who deaded his messages, and vows to bless anyone who lent a helping hand in his journey to stardom. “I was down bad on my d–k, every b—h I wanted, they left me on read/ My broke days over, I put a chain on every n—a that gave me a bed,” he raps over the thrilling production, which could score an action movie scene.
Diany Dior & Fivio Foreign, “Sex Love Demons”
[embedded content]
There’s something in the water in The Bronx, because the charisma of any BX resident will change the temperature of any room. Diany Dior can attest as one of the queens of the sexy drill movement led by fellow Bronxite Cash Cobain. Brooklyn drill sergeant Fivio Foreign tangoes with the “Favorite Lady” rapper for their hedonistic “Sex Love Demons” collab. “I could f–k you in Paris but I’m not a French kisser,” Fivio cheekily raps. Dior grabs the mic and boasts about flipping the script on an ex. “I made him leave his side b—h/ First I was his baby, now I made him my b—h,” Dior brags. Check out the rest of The Bronx firecracker’s Big Dior debut project, which arrived via GoodTalk.
The summer may be coming to a close, but the high-profile releases from some of the giants of African music don’t appear to be slowing down at all.
Asake continues pushing his own sonic boundaries, tapping an array of international collaborators — including Travis Scott, the UK’s Stormzy, and Brazil’s Ludmilla — for his third studio album, Lungu Boy, a triumph of both expanding musical horizons and fully embracing your status as an innovator on the scene. The Nigerian hitmaker scored his first No. 1 on Billboard‘s U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart with “Active,” featuring Scott.
And renowned British-Nigerian producer London, whose artist name is Thisizlondon, has been behind some of the biggest Afrobeats hits in recent years, from Rema‘s Billboard Hot 100 No. 3 smash “Calm Down” to Ayra Starr‘s “Bloody Samaritan.” Now, he’s getting in front of them by recruiting Starr and 6LACK for his refreshing debut single “PINACOLADA,” and collaborating with Olamide and Alpha P on the latter’s “W.”
But those are just a few of the artists who have released big tracks in August. We’ve highlighted 10 of our favorite new Afrobeats (and related) songs that have come out roughly within the last month. Check out our latest Fresh Picks, and find your new summer soundtrack with our Spotify playlist below.
Trending on Billboard
Asake feat. Wizkid, “MMS”
[embedded content]
Asake waxes philosophical on “MMS,” a highlight from Lungu Boy which stands for “Mr. Money Sound.” Asake chants “O ye ọlọun” in the chorus (meaning God understands in Yoruba) over P.Priime’s jazzy production, as he restores faith in listeners who feel overwhelmed with life’s twists and turns by reminding them about the path God has already put them on. Meanwhile, Wizkid reflects on losing himself, especially after the death of his mother last August, and finding his purpose as one of Afrobeats’ brightest stars. “As a young striving artist in Lagos, I have always been waiting for the right song, so when the opportunity came it was a no-brainer,” Asake told Apple Music about collaborating with one of his “musical inspirations.”
JayO, “Suns Out”
[embedded content]
JayO reworks the “suns out, buns out” summer slogan for the hook of his latest seasonal anthem. Skittering hi-hats and hypnotic synths, courtesy of producers WHOSDAT and RZ, underline the British-Nigerian AfroR&B artist’s smooth melodies. “Suns Out” is sure to soundtrack the last day parties of the summer (ugh, don’t remind us it’s almost over).
Efosa, “FEEL IT”
[embedded content]
After co-writing Darkoo’s summer smash “Favourite Girl” – which features Rema on its recent remix – British-Nigerian singer-songwriter Efosa drops his own sensual number. On “FEEL IT,” Efosa makes the case for why a woman should be with him, with his suave vocals doing most of the convincing. The drill-esque syncopated drums mimicking his heartbeat (“Do you feel it?” he repeatedly asks her) give the ballad’s woozy synths an upbeat edge.
Omah Lay, “Moving”
[embedded content]
Omah Lay pursues happiness while struggling with hardships on his latest single “Moving,” from his sophomore album Clarity of Mind, which is slated for release this winter. The propulsive percussion and resonant rhythms drive the track’s sense of urgency, which reaches a fever pitch at the bridge when he chants, “You can tell that I ran out of time/ Unavailable a lot of times.” And the affecting music video gives “Moving” a more profound meaning. “I am telling the story of how illegal immigrants travel to Europe through the desert, through Sahara…. Home is really bad where we can’t stay at home,” he said in a recent Billboard News interview. “I’m telling the story of the whole world, where everybody’s looking for some place to find peace of mind, some place to just call home and feel relaxed.”
Thisizlondon, Ayra Starr & 6LACK, “PINACOLADA”
[embedded content]
Thisizlondon taps frequent collaborator Ayra Starr and 6LACK for his debut single “PINACOLADA,” crafting a tantalizing concoction of Starr’s self-confident, vibrant delivery and 6LACK’s laidback R&B vocals that he’s lent to plenty of other Afropop records, like the remixes of Omah Lay’s “Damn” and Spinall and Fireboy DML’s “Sere.” “I wanted to create a vibe that captures the essence of summer — something that’s both chill and energizing,” Thisizlondon said in a press release.
Asake feat. Ludmilla, “Whine”
[embedded content]
Mr. Money Worldwide has finally arrived at the peak of his powers — and he’s clearly having fun. No song off his excellent new album exemplifies that better than “Whine,” in which producer Sak Pase flips Mary J. Blige’s 1992 classic “Real Love” into a joyful celebration of the ecstasies of love, and Brazilian singer Ludmilla adds a South American flair and a largely Portuguese verse to a track that is positively bursting with vibes. It’s the most euphoric track of his career so far.
Asake feat. Stormzy, “Suru”
[embedded content]
This isn’t the first time Asake has linked up with a British rapper — and not even the only instance on this album — but this collaboration with Stormzy is a deeply emotional appreciation of how far each of them have come to reach where they are, and an acknowledgment of the sacrifices that were made by those around them along the way. It’s summed up by the first line of Asake’s hook — “My mama tell me say surulere,” surulere meaning “patience is rewarding” in Yoruba — and each of their verses, which center on their families’ role in their success. But maybe the best line is in the outro, when Stormzy acknowledges the hard work, too: “This was not a dream, it was more like a plan I believed in.”
Darkoo feat. Rema, “Favourite Girl”
[embedded content]
We featured Darkoo’s original version of “Favourite Girl,” which featured Dess Dior, back in May. But this new remix with Rema brings the track to even greater heights, as the Afro Rave leader adds his own flavor with an exuberant verse that oozes self-confidence. The remix transforms what was already a great song into one that will fill dance floors to capacity for years to come — and is one of the best songs of the summer.
Oxlade & Fally Ipupa, “IFA”
[embedded content]
Oxlade has always had a great ear for melody, and a talent for engaging with unexpected harmonies and layers in his vocals. “IFA” is very much in that lineage, as he croons over a laid-back Afrobeats drum pattern. But it’s the Congolese icon Fally Ipupa who comes through and takes this song to the next level, with his distinctive tenor bringing an entirely different flavor as he croons in French of a woman he would love to keep. It’s a great team-up, and a reminder that Oxlade remains one of the more creative hitmakers of his generation.
Alpha P feat. Olamide & Thisizlondon, “W”
[embedded content]
The young Nigerian singer Alpha P taps two of the biggest names around for this wistful love song, in the YBNL chief Olamide and the in-demand producer Thisizlondon, the latter of whom crafted the perfect vibe for Alpha’s soaring melodies. And Olamide, known for so long for his hip-hop roots, perfectly meets the moment with his verse, both melodic and filled with his patented punch lines. The track is one of the best earworms of the year by far.
As the first gusts of autumn begin, it’s time to accept that we are now closer to sweater weather than the peak of summer vacation.
Although summer is nearing its end — with Kendrick Lamar‘s “Not Like Us” sitting comfortably in the Billboard Hot 100’s top 10 for a 15th consecutive week, no less — Drake seems to be alluding to a round two of their world-stopping feud. On Friday (Aug. 23), Drizzy self-leaked a second batch of unreleased content and music from his 100 Gigs franchise, this time featuring a collaboration with Playboi Carti. Notably, the 100 Gigs update also featured footage of Kanye “Ye” West giving Drake his flowers while onstage at OVO Fest 2013. It’s a smart play that complements Ye’s recent shoutout to Drake during a blockbuster Goyang Stadium Vultures II listening party in South Korea (Aug. 23).
Outside of the Kendrick-Drake beef and its supporting characters, Travis Scott‘s beloved breakthrough 2014 mixtape Days Before Rodeo finally hit streaming services in time for its 10th anniversary, Macklemore accidentally brought a fan onstage who was being looked for by the Slovak Republic Police (she is now in jail), and A$AP Rocky graced Billboard’s latest cover and talked everything from his forthcoming Don’t Be Dumb LP and the differences between his and Rihanna‘s parenting styles.
With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Chxrry22’s new girls-night-out anthem to Luh Tyler’s swaggering new banger. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
Trending on Billboard
Freshest Find: Hamzaa, “25!”
[embedded content]
Heavy percussion and a buttery timbre that sneakily traverses the border between mezzo-soprano and contralto introduce “25,” the heartfelt closing track from Hamzaa’s EP of the same name. “Made it to 25 on my / Made it out alive on my / Now I’m on my A-game / We’re not on the same page, no,” she croons in the chorus, finding a hard-fought peace of mind in light of a pivotal birthday year. Countless songs explore the myriad fears, hopes and anxieties of different stages of your twenties, and Hamzaa stake a claim for herself in that conversation as it relates to the age of 25. Often the age that makes your thirties feel particularly real and near, 25 can get a bad rap because many people feel as if they have to have accomplished something major in their lives by that age. Those anxieties aren’t the primary concern of “25”; Hamzaa is more focused on the stability, growth and self-sufficiency that comes with finally trusting yourself after surviving the abyss that is your early twenties.
Luh Tyler, “Mr. Skii”
[embedded content]
The Tallahassee wunderkind dropped his debut album last week (Aug. 23), as the Bossman Dlow-assisted “2 Slippery” continues to explode across socials — but that’s not the only song from the project worth adding to your playlists. The title track, “Mr. Skii,” finds Tyler employing a laid-back flow through which he effortlessly skates across OhYeaCris’s trap-indebted beat, which smartly plays on the sweet melody of Earl Klugh’s “Living Inside Your Love.” The song’s lone verse is typical braggadocio rap fare, but Tyler’s cavalier delivery and humorous punchlines make it all feel fresh. As he says himself, “P—y capping, that’s a cat in a hat, yeah/ Real shit, ain’t no cap in my rap.”
Ye Ali & Ant Clemons, “All Summer”
[embedded content]
To put it plainly, “We f–king all summer,” even if summer is basically over. R&B maestros Ye Ali and Ant Clemons join forces on this slinky ode to steamy summer nights. Sultry saxophone, sparse 808s, and subtle harmonies all coalesce for a particularly immersive soundscape that conjures up just the allure and mystique the duo’s X-rated lyrics forgo. At just under two minutes, this is more of an overgrown interlude than a full-bodied song, but “All Summer” sources its charm from its brevity. Not only do they get straight to business, but they also stand on it without coming off as aggressive or overly eager; their joint suaveness is the song’s superpower.
Kanii, “Same Stories (Come and Go)”
[embedded content]
Kanii is tired of running in circles for a toxic relationship, but he’s not ready to completely cut her off and close the book on things possibly turning around. The D.C.-bred singer leans into his pop&B bag for the brooding “Same Stories (Come and Go),” with pulsating synths pacing the dance-leaning track as he falls in and out of lust. “I’m tired of the same stories, the same games, the same lies / The tricks that you playing think I won’t realize / The same outcome again I waste my damn time,” he laments. Watch Kanii clear his head and explore what NYC has to offer in the track’s grainy visual.
Chxrry22, “Poppin Out (Mistakes)”
[embedded content]
Kendrick Lamar said something about needing to pop out and show the haters what’s good. The perfect pre-game playlist for girls night, Chxrry22 crafted an awfully fun bop to reverse a heartbreak. And rule No. 1 for Chxrry: there’s no crying over any boys inside her nightclub. But for the guys looking to win her attention, it’s going to be pricey – starting with sending her over six figures because someone has to pay for her mistakes. The best part might be the First Lady of XO living out her raps, as she enjoyed a not-so-demure girls’ night out last week turning up and celebrating “Poppin Out”’s arrival with her friends.
Free Party, “Eyespy”
[embedded content]
Free Party returned on Friday (Aug. 23) to drop off their anticipated Cut Your Teeth EP. It’s an appetizing sprint clocking in at 10 minutes, with “Eyespy” finding the DMV-bred duo showing off their rapping versatility and seamless chemistry in the booth. Jay Veno comes out of the gates blazing with a speedy flow as Free Party looks to make a leap. “They better never let us see a crevice/ Better keep it zealous or we looting the s–t,” he raps. MoCo takes the baton and the plug gets pulled before the AUX cord melts, leaving listeners wanting more. When is that full-length LP coming again?
It may be the week of the Democratic National Convention — where Vice President Kamala Harris will reiterate that “we’re not going back” — but hip-hop is pretty into nostalgia right about now.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Travis Scott’s iconic 2014 mixtape Days Before Rodeo is finally set to hit streaming platforms (Aug. 23), and Pitbull and Kesha’s 2013 Billboard Hot 100-topping “Timber” came back to the news cycle after Kesh’a name mysteriously disappeared from the title of the track’s accompanying music video on YouTube. With “Team Pitbull” on the case, that was quickly rectified, which is all anyone can really ask for, right? Dale!
In other news, Future & Metro Boomin showed NYC that they really are “Like That” with their We Trust You Tour which featured a Big Apple showcase of special guests and a Travis Scott cameo for “Type S–t” and his “FE!N” anthem.
Trending on Billboard
Houston mourned homegrown “Scream” rapper and producer BeatKing, while Nicki Minaj announced Tyga, BIA and Skillibeng as the openers for the second leg of her Pink Friday 2 World Tour kicking off in September.
With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Cash Cobain & Laila’s monster “Problem” collaboration to Kalisway’s witty new jam. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
Freshest Find: Skylar Simone, “Permission”
[embedded content]
An R&B hidden gem radiating in the same neighborhood of the genre as Victoria Monét. Skylar Simone impresses with her robust Def Jam debut project SHIVER, which arrived packaged into an appetizing five-pack last week. Any of the EP’s tracks could make the cut here, but we’ll spotlight Simone’s angelic vocals engulfing a guitar riff on the racy “Permission.” “Every day of the week, get me weak in the knees/ Can you do that for me? Cus’ I want your addiction,” she begs while schooling her love interest in a game of chess in the official visualizer clip. At 22-years-old, the Florida-born singer is just coming into her own as a woman, indulging in all that life has to offer. Although, Simone isn’t the typical wet behind the ears early 20-something looking to find their way. She’s been calloused with the release of three albums and another three EPs, which have her well-prepared for a quantum leap to stardom.
Lord Sko & Statik Selektah, “Lesson Learned”
[embedded content]
Much has been made recently about emerging white rappers and their place in hip-hop. As for Lord Sko, he tastefully pays homage to the classic New York City rap scene that raised him and the 20-year-old recruited Statik Selektah’s attention in the process. “Lesson Learned” is the latest offering from the Newport Lord’s upcoming 14-track PIFF project (arriving in October). He’s brushed off flow comparisons to A$AP Rocky, and continues to graffiti his own path out of the Big Apple. Certain jarring yet witty bars like Sko’s plans for “saving up to buy the devil’s soul” have listeners doing a double-take while skating over Statik’s knocking production. Keep an eye on him heading down the stretch of ‘24.
Jean Dawson feat. Lil Yachty, “Die for Me”
[embedded content]
Jordan Peele just found the perfect fit for another ominous song to soundtrack the trailer to his next thrilling blockbuster. Menacing piano keys send chills up your spine as a possible score to a horror film, while Jean Dawson welcomes fans to the Glimmer of God era with fresh co-signs from SZA and A$AP Rocky. “Don’t show up at my funeral If you won’t die for me,” Dawson delivers as a sobering truth. Enter Lil Yachty, who shows off his chameleon-like artistic ability when matching the diabolical themes Dawson sought out. Look for Glimmer of God to land this fall when JD hits the road for his North American headlining trek.
Cash Cobain & Laila!, “Problem”
[embedded content]
Move over Busta Rhymes (“Touch It”), the posse cut has returned to the Big Apple. Cash Cobain and fellow NYer Laila! heat up ahead of their highly-anticipated projects on the way with “Problem,” which is built around a mash-up of a Cash sexy drill beat and Laila!’s “Not My Problem” single. 14 different artists hop onto the conga line in total with Big Sean, Fabolous, Rob49, Anycia, Kenzo B, Flo Milli, 6LACK, Lay Bankz, Luh Tyler and more spanning the near eight-minute gauntlet of a track. The Slizzy Summer continues for CC leading into his PLAY CASH COBAIN album later this week.
Xenia Manasseh, “Bad Side”
[embedded content]
Ahead of her forthcoming sophomore album, Love/Hate, Pt. 2, L.A.-based, Kenyan-Ugandan singer-songwriter Xenia Manasseh has one simple message: don’t get on her bad side. “I don’t want you getting on my bad side, don’t suffer for nothing/ This here is my warning to you,” Xenia proclaims in a chorus that layers chugging kick drums, snappy snares and tasteful synths, making for the perfect soundscape for her voice to lord over. There’s a distinct ’00s R&B vibe going on here, but Xenia doesn’t fall into the trap of pastiche, instead using different vocal filters and snazzy descending melodies to add some dimension to the largely understated production.
Kalisway, “Sex”
[embedded content]
Kalisway’s got the funk! On this standout cut from her new A Kid From Toronto album, she reminds us that “Sex/ Is not everything.” She employs a tone that starts off somewhere between bratty and brassy before she lifts into a dizzying falsetto in the song’s second half, her journey through her vocal range perfectly mirroring the limitlessness of funk music. It’s no secret that sex is one of the most covered topics in R&B for a reason — it’s the genre of love and pain for a reason! But R&B, and its sister genres of funk and soul, can cover much more, and sex is indeed not everything.
“Covered emotions could make you feel blind/ You might not see it that way, then you might as well sleep tight/ Who cares if I’m feeding my fears? I’m wanting desire/ Having a way with life filled with power,” she croons. When we treat sex as everything it strips it of the elements that make it such a transformative experience. Everything is sex, except sex, which is power — but what good is that power if it doesn’t truly satisfy what you most desire and crave?
The Olympics are still in full swing, so, naturally, Snoop Dogg and Beyoncé continue to be central figures at this year’s Games.
Between cheering on a horse named Gin & Juice alongside longtime collaborator and friend Martha Stewart and starting an impromptu dance party with Simone Biles, Snoop Dogg would take home the gold medal if there was an Olympic event for best celebrity personality. After introducing Team USA with “Ya Ya,” Queen Bey used another Cowboy Carter track — the Willie Jones-assisted “Just for Fun” — for a special commercial commemorating Simone Biles. The Beyoncé-women’s gymnastics crossover didn’t stop there; all three women who made the podium in the floor excise final used Beyoncé tracks in their routines. Gold medalist Rebecca Andrade (Brazil) tumbled to “End of Time,” silver medalist Biles (USA) included “Delresto (Echoes)” in her mix, and bronze medalist Jordan Chiles (USA) soared to a medley of “Black Parade,” “My House,” “Cuff It,” “Energy” and Destiny’s Child’s “Lose My Breath.”
In non-Olympics news, Kanye “Ye” West and Ty Dolla $ign finally unveiled Vultures 2, Drake and Partynextdoor announced a new joint album due this fall and The LOX delivered an instant classic Tiny Desk performance.
With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from FLO’s latest banger to Moses Sumney’s new heartbreaking ballad. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
Trending on Billboard
Freshest Find: Moses Sumney, “Love’s Refrain”
[embedded content]
Ominous choral coos, haunting snaps and a range-traversing vocal performance are the grounding elements of “Love’s Refrain,” the stunning closer to Moses Sumney’s new Sophcore EP. “I lied/ I’m in love all the time/ I fetch for the kiss of death, unrequited,” he opens the first verse, carefully setting up a gut-wrenching story of unrequited, love compounded with this confines of heteronormative friendships and the fluidity of platonic and romantic relationships. A master of chilly, introspective electronic R&B, Sumney’s voice is particularly soulful here; his yearning holds centuries’ worth of literary longing.
Mudbaby Ru, “40 Mo’ Reasons”
[embedded content]
Following the viral success of his brash “40 Sum Reasons” single, Mudbaby Ru spins the block to double down with the charismatic “40 Mo’ Reasons.” Hailing from Arkansas, Ru narrates vivid street tales while comparing himself to legendary NFL coach Bill Belichick and bragging about sleeping with an opp’s baby momma while dancing on his grave. A hilarious exchange with Siri adds a comedic touch to the track’s outro. It’s about that time for Mudbaby’s major label debut album.
FLO, “Check”
[embedded content]
FLO has garnered a lot of love for their references to Y2K pop&B, but they keep those allusions to the visuals for their latest single, “Check.” Accompanied by a music video that pays homage to Beyoncé’s “Check on It,” the U.K. girl group lay their pristine harmonies over a skittering backbeat just short of Miami bass. In essence, it’s FLO meets PinkPantheress… so don’t be surprised if you come across a remix featuring the chart-topping artist ahead of the trio’s appearances on Kehlani’s upcoming Crash World Tour.
Sugarhill Ddot & PnB Rock, “Lamborghini Dreams”
[embedded content]
PnB Rock was tragically murdered on the West Coast in September 2022, and nearly two years later, his first posthumous guest verse lands on Sugarhill Ddot’s 2 Sides of the Story debut album. Rock’s croon opens the lucid “Lamborghini Dreams,” where he eerily touches on death. “Almost died behind the whip, I had to slow down,” he sings. The Harlem native colors outside the lines of his melodic drill world and name-drops Soulja Boy and Doja Cat in the same bar. Ddot is the first artist signed to the revamped Priority Records and hopes to make a statement in the drill lane with his new debut LP, featuring Hunxho, Skilla Baby and more big guests.
JPEGMAFIA, “I’ll Be Right There”
[embedded content]
Introduced by a warped sample of Jade’s career-defining hit “Don’t Walk Away,” JPEGMAFIA fires off several warning shots to his haters with his latest single, “I’ll Be Right There.” The pitched-up harmonies give the illusion of a sinister gospel choir, which plays well with the snarl Peggy employs in his verses. Steady percussion and shimmering strings round out the soundscape, over which he spits, “Y’all keep on thinkin’ I’m playin’ the hand I was dealt/ Yeah, until the same hand get a grip on that bitch/ Y’all want none of them problems/ Y’all want none them issues.” Several modes removed from the rave-provoking feel of his previous I Lay Down My Life For You singles, “I’ll Be Right There” slyly flips classic new jack swing romance into a bone-chilling warning straight from the roots of gangsta rap.
Kitschkrieg Feat. Future, Mariah The Scientist & Fridayy, “Slow Down”
[embedded content]
Oktoberfest meets Magic City. German production trio Kitschkrieg invites a star-studded guest crew to invade the dancefloor on the woozy “Slow Down.” Future, Mariah The Scientist and Fridayy join forces to make up a melodic rap-R&B cocktail. Pluto’s star shines the brightest as his syrupy flow has become bulletproof while spanning different genres. He paints a raunchy picture while opening up about some of his wild escapades — blowing six figures on women, getting fellatio on FaceTime and sipping lean out of his Grammy trophy. Look for more genre-blending collabs on Kitschkrieg’s forthcoming German Engineering Zwei album, which arrives on Nov. 15.
For all intents and purposes, July was Jamaica’s — and the island solidified that fact on the very last day of the month. There’s still some time before the track and field events get underway at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics — led by JA’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson and Hansle Parchment — so the universe gifted Jamaica another reason to celebrate: the release of dancehall icon Vybz Kartel.
On Wednesday (July 31), just over a week before Jamaica’s Independence Day (Aug. 6), Kartel regained his freedom after the Court of Appeal unanimously ruled that he and his co-accused — Shawn Campbell, Kahira Jones and Andre St. John — will not face a new trial for the 2011 murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams. Although he was originally sentenced to 35 years in prison after a historic 64-day trial back in 2014, Kartel (and his co-accused) have always denied their involvement in Williams’ death. In March 2024, the Privy Council of the United Kingdom overturned the convictions and sent the case back to the Court of Appeal to decide whether it would be retried.
The news of a free Kartel reverberated across the Caribbean diaspora, with fans rejoicing from Kingston to Brixton to New York. Naturally, Kartel had a new project ready to go, with First Week Out dropping the night of his release. While one of the project’s tracks appears on this month’s round-up, there are still plenty of non-Kartel releases to sift through.
Trending on Billboard
Naturally, Billboard’s monthly Reggae/Dancehall Fresh Picks column will not cover every last track, but our Spotify playlist — which is linked below — will expand on the 10 highlighted songs. So, without any further ado:
Freshest Find: Boyzie, “Chaotic”
[embedded content]
Reigning Spicemas Corporation groovy soca monarch Boyzie offers a new addition to the soundtrack for the road to 2024 Spicemas with “Chaotic.” A superb slice of power soca, Boyzie completely embodies the exuberance and catharsis of power soca with this new banger. “Watch everything just to start to lift, lift, lift/ And shift, shift, shift,” he bellows in an ascending melody that pairs perfectly with the amalgam of hyper-frenetic drums and buoyant horns, courtesy of producers PeckJonezz, Wetty Beatz & Ras Stickle. “Chaotic” sounds and feels incredibly lush — but nothing can take attention away from the seemingly gravitational pull of Boyzie’s voice. If anyone is looking for permission to truly feel joy in every last one of their joints, they’ll find their license through his evocatic, expansive vocal performance.
Vybz Kartel, “Terror by Night”
[embedded content]
From “Fever” to “Romping Shop,” Vybz Kartel has more hits than there are stars in the sky, so the anticipation for his first post-prison project were through the roof. To the delight of his fans, the World Boss didn’t keep anyone waiting, with the 12-track First Week Out arriving the same night he regained his freedom. One of the standout tracks on the project is “Terror by Night,” a dark slice of modern dancehall accented by choir-esque female backing vocals that offer a nice contrast to his raspy conviction-filed voice. “Thou shalt not be afraid of the terror by night and the arrows that fly by day,” he proclaims three times over in the hook, flipping Psalms 91:5-12 into his own self-mythologizing scripture that’s equal parts ominous and uplifting. Sure, it’s technically a 2023 release, but “Terror” finds a new weight in the context of First Week Out.
Stalk Ashley, Kraff Gad & Skeng, “Senseless”
[embedded content]
Whenever dancehall gets to mixing with drill, the results are almost always impressive. With “Senseless,” Stalk Ashley, Kraff Gad and Skeng fashion the classic gun chune into the drill-indebted dancehall anthem that doubles as a warning to all of their respective opps. “You mussi think mi defenseless/ Run up on mi, see if yuh nuh headless,” Ashley warns over the gritty Jaxx and KingBNJMN-produced beat. As strong as her hook is — Skeng’s contributions are as lively as ever, as well — it’s Kraff that’s the star of the show with his menacing delivery and slick flow switches.
Etana & Mr. Cheeks, “Weh Di Weed Deh”
[embedded content]
The relationship between weed and reggae is well-documented, and Etana adds to the lexicon of reggae weed anthems with “Weh Di Weed Deh.” A collaboration with Queens rapper Mr. Cheeks — perhaps best known as a member of Lost Boyz and for his 2003 feature on Lil Kim’s “The Jump Off” — “Weh Di Weed Deh” finds Etana crooning over a swaggering guitar-based groove, conjuring up odes to the wonders of Mary Jane. There’s a levity in both her and Mr. Cheeks’ tones that brings some humor to the whole affair, but the sincerity of this dedication to marijuana is never in question.
Notnice & Chronic Law, “One Dream”
[embedded content]
Notnice’s “Survivors Guilt” riddim is one of the more introspective and understated compositions of the year, and Chronic Law paints beautifully over the string-inflected soundscape. He employs a slightly despond, but mostly pensive tone as he parses emotional, restless nights and the power of prayer. “Everybody goes through obstacles, man, and that’s life you see,” he says in the intro before singing, “Mi nuh need glasses fi see when my brother god/ Nobody nuh give we umbrella for di storm/ Haffi walk through rain/ Haffi laugh through pain.”
Kranium, “Endless Vibes”
[embedded content]
Kranium has been one of the most dependable dancehall emcees for years, and he keeps the good times rolling with “Endless Vibes.” With a hook that nods to Steam’s late-’60s Billboard Hot 100-topper “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye,” Kranium delivers classic dancehall vibe with healthy dose of spunky synths and a notably melodic vocal delivery that takes him on a journey from chest voice-housed rap cadence to sweet falsetto coos lodged in his background vocal stacks.
Rebnant, “Bring It Back”
[embedded content]
Making a song for the ladies is a tried-and-true dancehall approach, which made the path a no-brainer for Claremont-born U.S.-based dancehall artist Rebnant. “She nuh f–k like mi and das a problem,” he proclaims over a thumping beat courtesy of Cook Shop Entertainment. A taste of an EP due later this year, “Bring It Back” is a classic party track that fits nicely in the high-energy pockets of a night at the dancehall.
Brick & Lace, “Proof”
[embedded content]
Over a decade after splitting up to focus on solo ventures, Brick & Lace (real-life sisters Nyla and Nyanda Thorbourne) are back. The ladies who gifted the world 2007’s Love Is Wicked tap into their Afro-dancehall bag with “Proof.” Produced by The Kemist, son of Marcia Griffiths, “Proof” finds the siblings opting for a more mature vibe as they sing of the wonders of building a sustainable, long-lasting love. “That’s how I know you’re the proof/ This feeling is real and I know it’s true,” they declare over infectious Afropop drums.
Erphaan Alves, Yung Bredda, Pimpin & DJ Hotty, “Bad Gyal Pt. 2″
[embedded content]
For the “Bad Gyal” remix, Erphaan Alves tapped an all-star line-up of artists, including Yung Bredda, Pimpin and DJ Hotty. “Bad gyal kill him wid di wine” stands as the song’s strongest refrain as the three artist conjure up infectious soca vibes over Kedon Charles’ drum-heavy riddim. “Throw that down like yuh carless,” Erphaan demands, expertly toeing the line between sexed-up lyricism and humorous delivery.
Gyptian, “My Woman”
[embedded content]
“Tell me what it is/ When you look at me/ Cause when I see you/ I see my woman,” Gyptian lovingly opens “My Woman.” Always one to venture to dancehall’s depths with a nuanced understanding of true romance in his back pocket, Gyptian sounds right at home over Chambah’s sparse, slinky production. Most Stateside listeners will recognize Gyptian’s name and voice from his classic “Hold Yuh,” and the tender undertones of that track are the grounding force of “My Woman,” a beautiful dedication to the time-tested love between two people.
Rema‘s rebelliousness and deep reverence for Afrobeats take center stage on his boundary-pushing sophomore album HEIS, stemming from his social media handle @heisrema and meaning the one in Greek. It reached No. 7 on Billboard‘s World Albums chart. Alté pioneer Boj delivers one of the season’s brightest LPs — while recruiting an international array of featured artists — on 12 Summers, which represents the dozen years he’s spent making music.
Tyla hops on her first song since releasing her eponymous debut album in March with Spinall’s “One Call” (also featuring Omah Lay), and it debuted at No. 12 on Billboard’s U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart this week (dated Aug. 3). And ODUMODUBLVCK flexes his chart success when he raps “22 weeks on the Billboard charts” on his braggadocious single “Not All That.”
Trending on Billboard
We’ve highlighted 10 of our favorite new Afrobeats (and related) songs that have come out roughly within the last month. Check out our latest Fresh Picks, and find your new summer soundtrack with our Spotify playlist below.
Odeal, “Soh-Soh”
[embedded content]
Odeal heats things up on “Soh-Soh,” the scintillating dancefloor highlight from his four-track EP Sunday At Zuri’s that’s influenced by Zuri Awela, an individual of Nigerian and South African descent he shouts out on X, and “represents parts of our Sunday at her beach house: noon (arrival), afternoon, evening, and night,” he wrote. While Odeal reminisces about last summer’s turnt vibes on “Soh-Soh,” he’s creating new memories this summer with a shorty he’s mesmerized by and willing to “spend one milli’ on” to win her heart. It’s impossible not to groove to the song’s sexy saxophone and crisp shakers – even Ciara can’t get enough of it.
Rema, “HEHEHE”
[embedded content]
“Monday morning, talking about me while I’m making money,” Rema boasts before bursting into his maniacal, cartoonish laugh that’s at the heart of his “HEHEHE” single from HEIS. The 24-year-old star guffaws at his haters with mischievous staccato chords punctuating each “HE,” the only time Rema catches his breath from his hoarse flow. His self-confidence reaches a fever pitch when he asserts himself in Afrobeats’ upper echelon alongside Wizkid, Burna Boy and Davido and doubles down on his three-month-old X statement: “No more big three, there’s now a big four.” But given Rema’s track record, and his latest LP being heralded for breathing new life into Afrobeats, it’s not a far-fetched statement.
Tay Iwar, Le Mav & GOLD, “Rock Steady”
[embedded content]
Five years after their first GOLD album, Tay Iwar and Le Mav (who are collectively known as GOLD) reunite on its glistening sequel EP GOLD II. On the highlight “Rock Steady,” Iwar muses about morning sex and his lover’s golden body, while Le Mav’s sultry production makes them want to linger in bed for just a little longer. But the tempo switch in the track’s final minute, where Iwar revs up the “These days, I’m feeling like I’ve been chosen” hook and Le Mav builds tension with the bridge’s piano chords before setting off the kaleidoscopic synth outro, ends “Rock Steady” on a highly spirited note.
Gabzy, JayO & Odeal, “Too Fine”
[embedded content]
UK R&B/Afrobeats artists Gabzy, JayO and Odeal aren’t letting a girl that’s “Too Fine” out of their sights in their latest collaboration. The trio combines swoon-worthy melodies, soulful guitar licks and saccharine lyrics to not just take a girl home for the night but to make her their wife, with Gabzy, whose alter ego is Mr. Malone, claiming she could be “Mrs. Malone” in the chorus. It’s hard not to succumb to their individual, irresistible charm, and their Vevo DSCVR performance is further proof.
Boj & Sainté, “Koshi”
[embedded content]
Boj taps fellow UK artist Sainté on the breezy opener “Koshi” from the former’s latest album 12 Summers. Tropical guitar melodies complement the DRB LasGidi member’s effortless swagger (“Rock best drip on legendary, fresh to death to cemetery,” he sings in the first verse), while Sainté raps about impressing a girl with the kind of money her previous man never had. But no amount of money or level of drip could make anyone compare to these two.
ODUMODUBLVCK, “Not All That”
[embedded content]
Few MCs have a more distinctive aesthetic as ODUMODUBLVCK, and in this latest single he ramps the energy up to the maximum, delivering a relentless series of verses that overflow with self-confidence, both listing his co-signs — Burna Boy, Skepta, Wizkid, Davido, Stormzy and Olamide all get name checked — and comparing himself to a reincarnated Tupac, while celebrating his wins over the past few years since he exploded on to the scene, like his two Headies Awards and “22 weeks on the Billboard charts.” If he’s talking about his breakout hit “DECLAN RICE,” it was actually 27 weeks on U.S. Afrobeats Songs, but after a while, it’s got to be hard to keep track. This song is a deserved victory lap.
Olamide, Fireboy DML & Asake, “Uptown Disco”
[embedded content]
The YBNL boys join forces again for this posse cut off label boss Olamide’s latest EP, Ikigai / (生き甲斐), Vol. 1, which, while certainly not a disco groove, pulses with electricity regardless. Fireboy sets the tone and helms the first verse and trades on and off with Olamide for the hook, before deferring to the latter for the second verse, as the two effortlessly slip in and out of languages and sports references. Asake brings the track home, putting an exclamation point on one of the only songs that features all three artists
Spinall feat. Tyla & Omah Lay, “One Call”
[embedded content]
Spinall has been one of the most consistently great DJs/producers in West Africa over the past several years, and here he brings together stalwart Omah Lay with one of the brightest lights of the past 18 months in Tyla for an infectious and sultry track, with Tyla in particular providing an irresistible contribution. The production grows along with the song, bringing it to a collaborative finale, and making it one of the best tracks of the month.
Rema, “YAYO”
[embedded content]
Rema’s HEIS album represents a step forward in the young singer’s career as he continues to progress beyond the astronomical success of “Calm Down.” With “YAYO,” he delivers a frenetic track that ripples with energy, with a blistering hook that provides the only half-second break in the whole song — and a burst of melody that feels at once surprising and infectious.
Boj feat. Victony, “Pressure”
[embedded content]
This silky cut from Boj’s excellent new album 12 Summers represents another palette on which crooner Victony can paint, as he comes through with his distinctive voice to take over the track with a verse that brings his mind to the gutter. Which is not to say that Boj himself is lacking on the track, a standout on his collab-filled project — his vocal is the steady counterpoint, the tamer side of the human spirit that helps make the song whole, a great late-night single.
BOJ ’12 Summers’
Courtesy Photo
If the air smells a bit different, that’s because Olympics season is in full effect. Every four years we rally around the best and most impressive athletes from our respective nations and cheer them on as they seek to dominate the literal world stage at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. From Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky to LeBron James and Noah Lyles, Team USA is stacked — so it’s only right that they got Queen Bey to introduce them.
Reworking “Ya Ya” — a standout Cowboy Carter track that Billboard ranked as the album’s best song — Beyoncé introduced the premier athletes of our “big, bold, beautiful, [and] complicated” nation. Queen Bey’s surprise appearance helped kick off an Olympics that has already featured its fair share of hip-hop and R&B moments — including Flavor Flav‘s support for the U.S. women’s water polo team, Ye (Formerly Kanye West) and Jay-Z‘s “N—as in Paris” becoming an unofficial theme song, Snoop Dogg‘s affirmations with gymnast Suni Lee and gymnast Jordan Chiles’ Beyoncé-inspired floor performance routine.
Outside of the intersection of music and sports, the worlds of R&B and hip-hop remained as bustling as ever over the weekend. From Ice Spice to Rakim, superstar rookies and undisputed legends came through with new albums, and hip-hop stars (Swae Lee and Lil Pump among them) continued to give their opinions on the upcoming presidential election.
Trending on Billboard
With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from TA Thoma’s sultry new ballad to Skilla Baby and Bossman Dlow’s latest link-up. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
Freshest Find: TA Thomas, “Angry”
[embedded content]
Hailing from the Mississippi Delta, TA Thomas has been making impressive strides all year. The R&B singer-songwriter had a pair of knockout features with MaKenzie (“Maybe”) and The Amours (“Pick Me Up”) — both of which made the Fresh Picks column in previous weeks — and he’s been no slouch with his solo offerings. His latest single, the Ray Keys-helmed “Angry,” is an unapologetic ode to the lustful underbelly of purposely picking fights with the intention of turning that combative energy into a sexual release. Even outside of those carnal subtleties, “Angry” showcases the beauty of experiencing the full emotional spectrum with the person you love the most. “I’m just tryna push you the limit/ See how far it goes/ Tell me that you had enough/ But your clothes on the floor/ There you go choosing violence/ Girl, putting you hands on me,” he croons with a soulful, slightly tongue-in-cheek tone.
Skilla Baby & Bossman Dlow, “Booby Trap on the River”
[embedded content]
An ode to the famed 24/7 nude Miami strip club, Skilla Baby and Bossman Dlow toast to the 305’s Booby Trap on the River. “I’m in the yams at Booby Trap havin’ a ball,” Skilla boasts over the ominous piano-looped production. Dlow takes the baton and incorporates the Detroit native’s signature “Ha” ad-lib into his verse while Skilla returns the favor and pulls from Dlow’s “Get In With Me” anthem. “These Chanel shoes, these ain’t no Huaraches,” he raps. Bossman Dlow’s rookie of the year case just keeps getting stronger.
Dajah Dorn, “Love U 4 Free”
[embedded content]
Across a subdued, dembow-inspired beat, rising R&B star Dajah Dorn reiterates her priceless commitment to her lover. Needlz’s gentle production allows for the different textures of Daja’s voice to shine through. At times, she opts for a starry-eyed lovestruck tone, but by the time she reaches the hook, she injects a bit of huskiness into her voice to underscore how serious her commitment to the act of loving is. “I just need you to recognize/ No matter the moment/ I will always put you first/ Even love you at your worst,” she coos in the pre-chorus.
Denise Julia & Thuy, “Twin Flames”
[embedded content]
A Filipina-Viet link-up leads to a baddie anthem. Denise Julia and Thuy mesh their silky vocals to serenade each other and celebrate sisterhood with the compassionate “Twin Flames.” The duo open their hearts and prove that besties can come in all different shapes and sizes with the succulent R&B bop. “But I’m all about it, ain’t no need to prove it/ ‘Cause I think I just found the one,” Julia sings in dazzling fashion. Following Denise’s robust debut project last year, the anticipation for the 22-year-old’s official debut LP just got turned up a few notches.
RINI, “Matter to You”
[embedded content]
There’s very little that can go wrong with a healthy dose of falsetto and a rousing guitar solo. With his latest single, Melbourne-raised R&B singer RINI absolutely nails that combo. “But I’ll admit it/ Lately I’ve been losing sight of our love/ All the little things that matter to you most,” he sings regretfully, laying bare that, despite the love that he has for his partner, he hasn’t shown up in the relationship the way that he knows he should. “Matter to You” is a very well-paced song, one that grows more intense with each passing second and eventually finds catharsis in that tear-streaked closing guitar solo, which finally moves away from the vocal restraint he displays on most of the track.
Ian & Lil Yachty, “Hate Me”
[embedded content]
It was only a matter of time before Ian and Lil Yachty teamed up after hitting the stage together last month at Chicago’s Summer Smash festival. The 19-year-old puts his haters on blast while rapping with spatial awareness, but Ian may have unknowingly delivered a bar that every 9-5 worker can relate to: “I’m just praying I made it to Friday.” Boat promises his net worth is beating out any rapper in his generation and he’s putting his mom’s life on it. “Know I’m richer than your favorite rapper If I’m not, then, God, kill my momma, huh,” he declares. Ian continues to prove he’s not a fad, and has no plans of fading — as his “Magic Johnson” also continues to grow in popularity.
Ashoka, “PGA”
[embedded content]
Rockland County, New York native Ashoka returns with his first release since his Dreamers Valley debut album last year. PGA might look familiar to golf enthusiasts, but this one is for the ladies with the “Pretty Girl Anthem.” Ashoka dubbed the swooning pluggnb track as a “modern-day love song” while doubling as the ultimate hype man for his girl. “You the prettiest in your friends, you the prettiest in this club, you the prettiest in this gym, you the prettiest in this party, you the prettiest on the Gram,” he croons.
From President Biden dropping out of the 2024 presidential race and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to Cardi B and Joe Budden‘s heated back-and-forth, it truly does feel like we collectively fell out of a coconut tree and into the most melodramatic timeline possible.
Not only has Harris — now the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee — already secured an endorsement from Billboard cover star Charli XCX, but she also received a gushing method of support from businesswoman (and Beyoncé‘s mother) Tina Knowles.
“New, youthful, sharp, energy!!!! You asked for it and our President Biden did what was best for the country! Putting personal ego, power, and fame aside. That is the definition of a great leader,” Ms. Knowles wrote. “Thank you, President Biden, for your service and your leadership. Go Vice President Kamala Harris for President. Let’s Go ❤️❤️❤️❤️ #kamala2024”
Trending on Billboard
Elsewhere in the worlds of R&B and hip-hop, U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley quoted GloRilla‘s viral “TGIF” during an address about the effects of urban heat islands on lower-income communities, Latto revealed how she snagged Usher‘s original “U” chain for his 2024 BET Awards Lifetime Achievement tribute performance, and Donald Glover dropped Bando Stone and the New World, his final album under the “Childish Gambino” moniker.
With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from Blxst‘s breezy West Coast bop to JT and Stunna Girl’s shot-firing link-up. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
Freshest Find: 4batz & Usher, “Act IV: fckin u again (18+)”
[embedded content]
For his third high-profile collaboration in basically as many months, enigmatic R&B crooner 4batz taps music icon and fellow Dallas-born crooner Usher for a remix of his NSFW cut “Act IV: fckin u again (18+).” The ski mask-clad singer keeps the same bars as the original, singing, “Can’t stop f–kin’ you/ ‘Cause your body drops like a prostitute/ And I cannot get enough of you/ ‘Give me a break,’ f–k is a break?/ I swear” over Nic Dreams’ unchanged production. Where 4batz’s tone can sound a bit steely at times, Usher’s voice provides a much-needed dose of warmth and seduction as he proclaims, “Gotta say, I’ll make sure you know a n—a name/ Usher, don’t forget the Raymond/ I pull up and blow it out the frame/ Roll with me, I’ll make you famous.”
Rayana Jay, “Garden”
[embedded content]
Water Rayana Jay’s garden and watch her blossom. The Bay Area singer knows what she’s looking for and is intentional with her love, as she wants to be handled with care. “I don’t want anybody but you, because you’re the only one that can make me bloom,” she lusciously professes. Rayana takes romance into her own hands with her next chapter and upcoming Temple album, which arrives later this year via EMPIRE.
JPEGMAFIA, “Sin Miedo”
[embedded content]
If there’s anyone in rap who is still fearlessly pursuing new ways to completely disassemble classic tracks and fashion them into a gloriously unique musical experience, it’s JPEGMAFIA. The Baltimore rapper calls on 2 Live Crew‘s “Hoochie Mama” for an endlessly shape-shifting amalgamation of thrashing metal guitars, stabbing house-inflected synths and rage rap. It’s complete hedonism and pure balls-to-the-wall madness; he raps, “She had issues with her father!/ I had issues with my barber!/ She off all of these drugs!/ Coke in her butt, RIP Aaron Carter!” With his Lay Down My Life Tour set to commence next month (Aug. 7), Peggy is making sure his crowds are pumped up with some relentlessly high-octane head-bangers.
Rob49 with Cardi B, “On Dat Money”
[embedded content]
If you ever imagined Rob49 and Cardi B colliding on a track, “On Dat Money” is probably exactly what fans envisioned, and that’s not meant to be a slight. The New Orleans rapper’s raunchy fantasies combined with Bardi’s explicit bedroom exercises are going to make nuns cover their ears, but welcome to hip-hop. Rob made his debut on the Billboard Hot 100 last year with his guest appearance on Travis Scott’s UTOPIA album, and he looks to notch a first entry as a lead artist with the Cardi stimulus package.
Blxst, “Private Show”
[embedded content]
Last week (July 19), two-time Grammy nominee Blxst dropped his long-awaited debut studio album, which featured collaborations with Anderson. Paak, Kamasi Washington, Feid, Becky G. and more. Despite the plethora of star-studded link-ups, one of the standout moments on I’ll Always Find You comes courtesy of “Private Show,” a slick slow jam that attempts to make sense of the cognitive dissonance between the innate intimacy of a slow jam and the feigned intimacy that comes with paying for a private show. “I might jump off the ledge with you/ Ain’t no telling where I’m headed in that bed with you/ Make it hot and spin the block like I ain’t never done/ Like it’s money on your top, just want some head or sumn,” he croons in the second verse, ultimately allowing himself to play pretend for a few hours at a time.
JT feat. Stunna Girl, “Lemon Pepper”
[embedded content]
JT completed her City Girls departure with City Cinderella’s arrival. The brash Miami rapper delivers a hypnotic chorus over doomy production and gets busy stepping in designer boots on her haters. JT shrewdly flips Cardi B calling her “prison pants” into a positive flex. “JT a convicted felon and I’m still on they a–/ These Rick Owens, boo, these ain’t prison pants,” she raps. Stunna Girl steps in and raises the stakes with a braggadocious assist. Don’t take her velvety flow lightly because the 26-year-old will puncture hearts quicker than Rick Ross downs lemon pepper wings from Wingstop.
As heat wave after heat wave continues to pummel the country, so does the world of politics, which feels suspiciously written by Shonda Rhimes at this point. With the attempted assassination of former President Trump thrusting debate over President Biden’s viability as a 2024 candidate out of the picture, naturally, 50 Cent has found himself in the eye of the storm. The Grammy-winner’s classic “Many Men” has emerged as a semi-ironic anthem of the assassination attempt, earning an acknowledgment from the man himself.
“Trump gets shot and now I’m trending,” he captioned a meme of Trump’s face superimposed over his iconic album artwork for 2003’s Billboard 200-topping Get Rich or Die Tryin’, which landed at No. 11 on Billboard’s Greatest Rap Albums of All Time ranking.
Trending on Billboard
In other major hip-hop and R&B news, Eminem‘s countless namedrops on his new The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) LP continue to stir up social media conversation, Ice Spice and Central Cee further stoked romance rumors with the release of their new “Did It First” single and Buju Banton performed his first U.S. shows in 13 years at New York’s UBS Arena.
With Fresh Picks, Billboard aims to highlight some of the best and most interesting new sounds across R&B and hip-hop — from 310babii’s latest banger to Veeze and Rylo Rodriguez’s grimy link-up. Be sure to check out this week’s Fresh Picks in our Spotify playlist below.
Freshest Find: Camper feat. Ari Lennox & Jeremih, “War”
[embedded content]
Last year, with Coco Jones’ “ICU” and Maeta & Free Nationals’ “Through the Night,” Darhyl “DJ” Camper scored a pair of chart-topping R&B hits that played to the genre’s traditional elements of evocative, soulful balladry. For “War,” his new single with Grammy-nominated R&B stars Ari Lennox and Jeremih, Camper continues to play on those fundamentals. “I ain’t got time to lose with you/ All I know is that I miss you/ Bring grenades to your door/ For your love I’ll go to/ For your love I’ll go to war,” Jeremih sings over Camper’s amalgamation of warbling, gospel-inflected chords and a ’70s soul-evoking bass section. With both singer’s verses playing on the classic benchmarks of romance (“Kept you past your curfew/ Bought you your first of Nikes/ Heard your Daddy don’t like me/ Brother wanna fight me”), these three R&B heavyweights have crafted a song whose reverence for the classics permeates both their lyrics and instrumentation, ultimately making for a song that harkens to the past while feeling distinctly modern by way of their stylish vocal deliveries.
Lexa Gates & Billy Lemos, “I Just Can’t Be Alone”
[embedded content]
Lexa Gates is one of the can’t-miss emerging artists coming out of NYC. With an aesthetic as refreshing as she is unique, the Queens-bred singer-rapper blends the adjacent worlds in poetic fashion. On her latest single, “I Just Can’t Be Alone,” Gates vulnerably grapples with a yearning for romance and isolation. “Should I really be a douchebag? I’m indifferent, ha, you mad,” she intones to start the jazzy tune. West Coast fans can hear the soulful track’s live debut when Lex takes the Echoplex stage in Los Angeles on Aug. 14.
310babii, “Pink Whitney”
[embedded content]
As the West Coast continues to bask in their summer on top, 310babii is keeping the hits coming. After scoring a topline breakthrough moment with “Soak City (Do It)” and a follow-up hit in “Rock Yo Hips,” the recent high school graduate is ready for a few sips of “Pink Whitney.” “Pink Whitney, said she don’t drink Casa’/ Baby bad, p—y good, put her in Prada/ Bae, I gotta buy you YSL, it’s only right/ She got designer p—y, only right I bought her flight,” he spits over Beatsbyturk’s bouncy production. Less focused on packing the dancefloor with bodies and more occupied with lauding the girl with the “bеst head in the city,” “Pink Whitney” marks a slightly different direction for the rising star — but it still hits.
SoFaygo feat. Don Toliver, “Precision”
[embedded content]
Don’t try to play games with SoFaygo because he’ll call out the “bulls–t with precision.” Lil Tecca hops behind the boards to serve up the blistering production that lives in the realm of Playboi Carti’s Whole Lotta Red. “I never ate at Denny’s, I hate to shop at Lenox/ I’m picky with my women,” FayGo rambles. The Cactus Jack artist lets the ladies know anyone riding with him doesn’t need to turn to having an OnlyFans since he’s got the finances taken care of. Fellow Cactus Jack running mate Don Toliver invades the scene and gives a NSFW shout-out to his wifey. “Damn, she got a big booty/ Kali Uchis, I’ma stuff my face in her coochie,” he promises on the raunchy assist. Hopefully, it isn’t the last time this trio joins forces.
BLK ODYSSY, “Changes”
[embedded content]
Ahead of his third studio album — 1-800-FANTASY (due July 19) — BLK ODYSSY has unveiled another single from the project. “Changes,” a jaunty pop-rock-infused jam that evokes the freewheeling feel of Steve Lacy’s Gemini LP, finds BLK ODYSSY lamenting over the different ways love can warp your sense of routine and normalcy. “Can’t take all these changes, thought it would be painless,” he sing-chants, effortlessly capturing the emotional turbulence of heartbreak and how life-altering the end of a relationship can be. With percussion and guitars holding down the rock ‘n’ roll vibes, it’s his melancholy timbre that keeps the soul front and center.
Veeze feat. Rylo Rodriguez, “F****d A Fan”
[embedded content]
Someone could write a fascinating book about rappers and their romantic fan escapades. Rylo opens up about having a girl with him at a five-star hotel while Veeze leans on his designer addiction and letting his partner run up unlimited shopping spree tabs with ease. Although, the Detroit rapper knows his luxury taste and spending habits could catch up with him if he doesn’t continue to level up. “My jacket, my pants, it cost me a dime/ I need to go get an endorsement with Sprite,” he admits with some sound financial advice. As for the 4PF rhymer, Rylo doesn’t believe the ride-or-die women are out there for him. “If I had a dollar for every faithful b—h in the world, my account would be empty,” he raps before painting the bizarre visual of a girl wanting him to autograph a Trojan condom. Just press play and enjoy the journey.